SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Wednesday, Feb. 28, the Patient Experience Project (PEP) will host its third annual Rare Disease Day at the Movies.
In addition to a display of posters by area students that depict kindness and acceptance, the charity event will feature a screening of “Wonder,” a movie based on the award-winning book of the same name by RJ Palacio.
Megan, a 12-year-old Greenwich girl with a facial difference, inspired the choice for this year’s movie. Much like Auggie, the main character in “Wonder,” Megan is an inspiration to others in spite of her medical challenges.
Megan was born with an extremely rare, contiguous gene-deletion syndrome that manifests mainly as craniofacial syndrome with other components, including a brain abnormality. Megan is a beautiful girl who loves school, spending time with her family and friends and playing soccer.
“When I approached PEP about getting involved and suggested ‘Wonder’ as this year’s Rare Disease Day movie, I never imagined we would start this movement of kindness,” said Megan’s mother, Angela. “The outpouring of support by PEP, teachers, students, and countless people in the community has been incredible so far.”
Hundreds of students, from five Capital Region schools, have set into motion a movement of kindness by entering a poster contest to help express the themes of empathy and acceptance.
“In a world too often marked by conflict and indifference, these students are helping to remind us all how powerful it is to demonstrate empathy,” explains PEP President and Founder Dan Bobear. “We’re hoping to have a sold-out event and to have as many people as we can support Project Kind by donating whatever amount they can afford.”
The event will be held at Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas, located at 19 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs. From 4 to 6 p.m., a poster contest winners gallery will appear in the theater lobby. At 5 p.m. prizes will be awarded to contest winners. At 6 p.m. the private screening of “Wonder” starts for all ticket holders.
Tickets are $20 each. They are limited and being sold on a first-come, first-served basis at PEPProjectKind.com. The proceeds will benefit the Children’s Craniofacial Association to support children and families affected by facial differences.
For more information, visit the website www.the-pep.com.
